Are you thinking about your retirement? Do you have questions about how it works, and, more importantly, will you have enough money to retire?

In partnership with the NEA Member Benefits (MB) Corporation, HSTA offers financial education and retirement workshops. Our NEA MB vetted Retirement Specialists have been working with HSTA members over the past few years on their retirement needs.

As an HSTA member, you have access to the following:

  • Complimentary consultation for retirement planning (Do I have enough to retire? When can I retire?)
  • ERS estimates (How much will my pension be?)
  • Social Security optimization (When is the best time to take out Social Security?)
  • Portfolio reviews (Is my portfolio too aggressive, too conservative, or just right?)
  • NEA-endorsed 403(b)s
  • Advice on budgeting

Spring 2024 webinars

NEA Member Benefits and NEA Retirement Specialists are inviting you to a Zoom seminar series. Click on the session date to register. All webinars run approximately one hour in length and include time for Q&A following the webinar. You will need to register separately for each you would like to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Note: The RSVP deadline for webinars is four (4) hours prior to the start time of each webinar.

Missed one of our webinars? Don’t worry they are offered repeatedly throughout the year. This post will be updated when new sessions become available. To set up a one-on-one meeting or invite an NEA Retirement Specialist to conduct a workshop for your school, contact NEA Retirement Specialists at (808) 951-7185. Advisers will be available during breaks. If you have any questions about the program, contact your HSTA Member Services Committee chapter representative.

New!

Save $$$ on all the things you love: travel, shopping, family, and fun

Come learn about how to save money, manage your finances, and live your best life by using your NEA Member Benefits programs. Planning your next vacation, saving money on your everyday purchases, insuring your most valuable things, and taking charge of your financial life are all made easier through your membership. Get started at www.neamb.com/start before the session and bring your questions.

When: Thursday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m.

Basics of financial planning

For members starting out in their Hawaiʻi teaching careers, we will cover an introduction to the State of Hawaii ERS pension and Social Security benefits. We will focus on setting financial goals, budgeting, learning about various investment vehicles, the importance of investing early, and an introduction to insurance. We will also cover which teachers might be eligible for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

When: Thursday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m.

 New! 

Helping aging parents adapt to change

As our parents age, they become more vulnerable to a variety of risks—financial, physical, and emotional. Join us as we explore caring for aging parents. We’ll identify issues and their impact on a parent’s well-being as well as your own. We’ll develop a plan to help you address needs that will likely arise, and share tips on how to respect your parents’ wishes, when possible, and still preserve your relationship.

When: Thursday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.

Are you on track to retire?

Geared for members nearing retirement age, we will focus on getting ready for retirement. We will delve into the State of Hawaii ERS pension and Social Security benefits. In addition, we will also be covering retirement projections, various investment vehicles, the importance of the catch-up provision for those over 50 years old, your risk tolerance as you prepare to retire, and long-term care insurance.

When: Monday, March 18, at 11:30 a.m. (spring break)

When: Thursday, April 18, at 4 p.m.

Advanced financial planning

With the new compression pay raise, many teachers could potentially be moving into a higher tax bracket. What are some different options for that pay raise? We will be discussing advanced planning concepts such as Supplemental Leveraged Retirement plans and Hybrid LTC plans.

When: Tuesday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m. (spring break)

Basic estate planning

Come join us as the NEA Retirement Specialists partner with the NEA Attorney Referral Program to talk about the basics of estate planning. We will be discussing what a will and trust can and can’t do, if you need a trust, and the need for Powers of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare directives. We will also be discussing the naming of beneficiaries for your retirement accounts.

When: Wednesday, March 20, at 11:30 a.m. (spring break)

HSTA Baby Shower

Join our virtual HSTA Baby Shower hosted by HSTA Member Services and our UniServ Directors. Information will be shared to prepare for your little bundle of joy and about leave options as provided for under the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. There will also be fun and festivities!

When: Thursday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m. (spring break)

NEA Member Benefits: Navigating Student Loan Forgiveness

Many of you are likely eligible for forgiveness of your federal student loans through one or more of the federal programs currently available. There have been many updates and changes to these programs, and the information you need to know can be hard to find. NEA MB has gathered the latest information as it applies to our members and will share that information with you during this workshop. In addition, we have a FREE online tool that will help you navigate your way to forgiveness. Learn about the latest federal programs and how to access the NEA Student Debt Navigation Tool. Get a head start by logging in to www.neamb.com/start and creating your account.

When: Thursday, March 21, at 11:30 a.m. (spring break)

When: Thursday, May 2, at 4 p.m.

Maximizing Social Security

Why does the Social Security filing decision matter? How can you manage the Social Security decision and determine the right filing strategy and age? How can you integrate the Social Security decision into a comprehensive retirement plan? We will be covering the basics and rules behind Social Security so you can maximize your Social Security benefit.

When: Friday, March 22, at 11:30 a.m. (spring break)

When: Thursday, April 25, at 4 p.m.

All about 403(b)s and management

Learn about the different types of 403(b)s offered in the State of Hawaii Department of Education, including the new Roth 403(b) option. We will also cover the differences between strategic (passive) and tactical (active) money management. In addition, you will learn about the questions you should be asking your financial advisor.

When: Thursday, March 28, at 4 p.m.

Additional resources